Welcome to my Studio

workspace

Sunbeams + Bamboo

Drawing back the curtains, I embrace morning sunlight as it shines on my desk, streaming through the bamboo trees and casting perfect light. My workspace is a small with a few trinkets that I love. I find joy, tranquility in the morning as it is my favorite time to practice art while I listen to worship music praising God. This is a time of gratitude where my mind is calm, yet ideas begin to flow.

I decorate my space with boho accents, crocks, jars, baskets and of course paints, brushes and papers. Nature is my color palette as I collect watercolors in earth tones. I so love using my oyster shell plate and my antique platters, enamel trays for mixing my watercolors.

I gather inspiration from nature, antiquing and estate sales, looking for special pieces; boxes, books, art and sewing supplies. I love old books with beautiful photos of butterflies, birds, flowers and trees.

my process

I find inspiration in the dancing sunlight on my desk as it filters through the bamboo trees outside my window. My desk is set up from the day before, ready for me to start creating.

Taking a moment of gratitude, I connect with God, appreciating what I have. I listen to that quiet guidance for the day ahead. I create art from past adventures in finding inspiration in my photos.

Nature is my color palette, and I collect earth-toned watercolors. I warm up by practicing a few times before creating pieces I want to keep. While I mainly use watercolors, I also experiment with other mediums. Some days, I prefer drawing on my iPad with various brushes in the Procreate app. My signature style is a bit messy, natural, and organic, embracing mistakes with watercolors, inks, graphite, and charcoals. I enjoy testing different papers but have a special fondness for stonehenge paper.

I sketch out my ideas sometimes before I begin or I just start brushing water across the paper to watch it flow. I love how the watercolor pulls in one spot and can visually be unique after it dries.

After I finish my art practice for the day, I scan it into my computer. I either create a pattern or motif in Illustrator or allow the art to remain in my files until I am ready to use it. Even when my artwork isn’t exactly as I wanted it to turn out, I share it. This isn’t always part of my art process, as sometimes I wait to upload art all at once for a week or I may share a photo from my day travels to parks and antiques instead.

It is part of my art process mindset that I stay true to myself as an artist. I am also inspired by being part of a community of artists who support each other.